Coach Sports in Costa Rica with Projects Abroad

  Costa Rica

Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: All Year Round (you set the start and end date)

Description: With a population of around 3.9 million, Costa Rica has a good record of producing talented soccer players that are now widely considered the rising stars of FIFA's North and Central American CONCACAF region. Players from Costa Rica have a rare ability to combine strength and power with spectacular skill in the majority of positions on the field. The fans also always show a great passion for the game, which was highlighted by the traveling supporters to various World Cups (1990, 2002 & 2006).

There are many children in Costa Rica who wish to participate in sports, but for some, a lack of resources means limited opportunities. Through our soccer project, young players are given a real chance to take part.

You will join one of the many teams competing in the Little League for schools in Liberia (a district in the north west of the country), as part of our soccer project in Costa Rica. There are over 400 children in this league aged five to 11 years old who mainly come from low income families.

Everyone gets involved: teachers, volunteers, parents and coaches. As a soccer coach in Costa Rica, you will be responsible for the development of young soccer players' basic skills and techniques. You will co-ordinate and plan coaching sessions to develop - for example - ball control, accurate passing, keeping possession and moving into space. The age of the children means they are at an ideal stage to be taught the basics and to learn the foundations for their future. However, at the same time, it's really important that playing soccer is about enjoyment and participation. This makes your role easier as these children all have a real passion for sports and are eager to be involved. Your job, with the help of your supervisor, is to make sure the fun and the desire both continue.

Other tasks include planning game strategies, taking practice games and probably assisting in team selection too. So if you have coaching experience - or just a love of soccer - you can play a major part in this progressive sporting experience.

Highlights: For your accommodation, you'll live with a Spanish speaking host-family, which is a great environment for developing and improving your language skills. All the families involved are extremely supportive of the placements carried out by Projects Abroad and are eager to experience an inter-cultural exchange and learn about the lives of volunteers.

Costa Rica is Central America's jewel. It's an oasis of calm among its turbulent neighbors and an ecotourism heaven, making it one of the best places to experience the tropics with minimal impact. It's also mostly coastline, both Caribbean and Pacific, which means great surfing, beaches galore and a climate built for laziness.

In addition, this project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: None.

Cost in US$: From US$ 2,895 up

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range: 16-80

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992